Federal bill on concussions and young athletes takes important legislative step

Sarah Simonis/For The Star-LedgerRep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), above, and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) held the first of two hearings before the health subcommittee for the ConTACT Act at the Prudential Center.

A federal bill mandating proper care and management for concussions suffered by youth athletes took an important legislative step today.

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who co-authored the Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act, and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) today held the first of two hearings before the health subcommittee for the ConTACT Act at the Prudential Center.

Pascrell is hopeful the second hearing and markup — when the legislation can be amended — will occur in the next month, which would then allow the committee to consider the bill. If it passes committee, the bill will be introduced into the full House of Representatives for a vote.

The ConTACT Act would set federal standards for when an athlete could return to play following a head injury and provide federal grants to middle and high schools to implement neurocognitive baseline testing.

“We don’t want wussies on the field, but we need to protect our kids,” Pascrell said, adding that studies show 41 percent of concussed athletes return to play too soon.

At today’s hearing, testimonies were offered by Roman Oben, the former Giants offensive tackle; Niki Popyer, a Marlboro High senior who has suffered 13 concussions, seven of which came on the basketball court; Mike Prybicien, president of the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey; Vikas Kapil, an associate director with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Joel Brenner, who sits on the American Academy of Pediatrics council; and Joanna Boyd, the public education coordinator for the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey.

“It is urgent that we address this public health crisis,” Boyd testified. “Grants would give us the tools to keep our athletes safe. It’s time to protect our youth from needless disability.”